System Analysis - Lesson 1 Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from System Analysis Lesson 1, including information systems components, SDLC, roles, and traditional vs agile software development.

Information Systems (IS)

Integrated set of components including hardware, software, data, people and procedures organized to collect, process, store and disseminate information to support decision-making and control in an organization.

Information Technology (IT)

Technology components of an information system, includes hardware, software, networks, and other technological tools to process, store, and transmit information.

ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies)

Technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications, similar to IT but focuses primarily on communication technologies like the Internet and wireless networks.

Hardware

Physical devices, such as computers, servers, and networking equipment that are part of an information system.

Software

Programs and operating systems that process data and perform tasks within an information system.

Data

Raw facts and figures that are processed into meaningful information within an information system.

Processes

Procedures and policies that govern how data is handled and used within an information system.

People

Users, analysts, developers, and other stakeholders who interact with the system.

Transaction Processing Systems (TPS)

Handle day-to-day transactions (e.g., sales, payroll).

Management Information Systems (MIS)

Provide reports and summaries to support middle management.

Decision Support Systems (DSS)

Assist in decision-making by analyzing data and generating models.

Executive Information Systems (EIS)

Provide strategic information to top-level executives.

Expert Systems (ES)

Use artificial intelligence to emulate human decision-making.

Office Automation Systems (OAS)

Support routine office tasks (e.g., word processing, email).

Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

A structured, step by step framework used to design, develop, and maintain information systems.

Planning (SDLC Phase)

Define the project scope, objectives, and feasibility.

Analysis (SDLC Phase)

Gather and analyze requirements from stakeholders.

Design (SDLC Phase)

Create system specifications, including architecture, interfaces, and data models.

Implementation (SDLC Phase)

Develop, test, and deploy the system.

Maintenance (SDLC Phase)

Monitor, update, and improve the system over time.

System Developers

Technical professionals who write code, configure software, and build the system.

Systems Analyst

Acts as a bridge between business needs and technical solutions; gathers requirements, designs systems, and ensures alignment with organizational goals.

System Owner

Senior manager or executive who sponsors the project and ensures it delivers value to the organization.

Users

Individuals who interact with the system daily; provide input on requirements and test the system.

Waterfall Model

A linear, sequential approach where each phase must be completed before the next begins

Traditional (Plan-Driven) Methods

Focus on detailed planning and documentation; changes are difficult to implement once the project has started.

Agile (Adaptive) Methods

Emphasize flexibility, collaboration, and customer feedback; changes can be incorporated easily throughout the development process.

Scrum

An iterative and incremental framework that divides the project into small manageable chunks called sprints.